AN ORCHESTRA has joined forces with refugees at an Oxford school to create a piece of music.

The Abingdon-based Orchestra of St John’s performed the composition to students at Oxford Spires Academy earlier this week.

It follows a series of workshops which took place from February of last year through to last month.

The workshops saw the orchestra’s composer-in-residence Toby Young and associate conductor Cayenna Ponchione-Bailey work with Year 12 refugees from Oxford Spires’ ‘Steps Towards English Proficiency’ programme.

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Creating the piece of music has allowed students to share their experiences of moving to the UK.

Jackie Watson, head of sixth form at Oxford Spires, said: “Our students at Oxford Spires are from many different areas of the world.

“They have loved working on a project that celebrates their diversity and where their experience has driven the creation of new music.

“Working with Cayenna and Toby has enabled students to share their ideas and develop confidence, and to see and hear a real orchestra, many for the first time.

“We’re all looking forward to the performances ahead.”

thisisoxfordshire: The orchestra performs during the premiere at Oxford Spires Academy. Picture: Ross HarrisonThe orchestra performs during the premiere at Oxford Spires Academy. Picture: Ross Harrison

After the piece was premiered to students on Monday, Many Worlds in One Places will be performed during the final concert of the orchestra’s four-day summer festival.

The festival begins today and draws to a close on Monday, at SJE Arts, bringing an end to the orchestra’s summer season.

Dr Ponchione-Bailey said: “Musical collaborations like these bring people together physically, intellectually and emotionally—building bridges between diverse experiences and creating opportunities to understand the world in new ways.

“It has been a huge privilege to meet and work with these extraordinary young people.

“The artwork that they and Toby have produced is profoundly moving and I cannot wait to share it with the Oxford community.”

thisisoxfordshire: The orchestra performs during the premiere at Oxford Spires Academy. Picture: Ross HarrisonThe orchestra performs during the premiere at Oxford Spires Academy. Picture: Ross Harrison

Mr Young added: “It has been an honour working with these amazing young people to help them share their lives through music.

“I hope as many people as possible get to hear their incredible and evocative stories.”

The project was supported by Arts Council England and The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities.

The Orchestra of St John’s provides more than 70 musical events each year for children with autism, adults with dementia, patients on mental health wards, and refugees – all in addition to regular concerts.

During the coronavirus restrictions, the orchestra delivered on average 10 online sessions each month to SEN schools in Oxfordshire.

This was alongside community projects, such as performing for patients in hospital, and regular concerts, where possible.